Safety device for mine skips, cages, &amp;c.



J. SPRY.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR MINE SKIPS GAGES, 6m.

1908. SHEET 1.

' Patented Nov. 3

2 S HEB T S- APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 29 9OQ,694..

1x5 uonms PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, p c,

E J. SPRY.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR MINE SKIPS, GAGES, 6:0.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 29, 1907. r 902,94 Patented N013, 1908. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

BTERS ca, WASHINGTON, n. c.

TTED STATE8 PATENT @FFTQE.

SAFETY DEVIUE FOR MINE SKIPS, CAGES, &c.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

Application filed January 29, 1907. Serial No. 354,732.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns SPRY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of East Rand, Transvaal, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Mine Skips, Cages, and the Like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a safety device or arrangement primarily designed for the skips, cages or other vehicles employed in the shafts of mines, although it is applicable for lifts, elevators or similar hoisting apparatus.

The device is applicable for both vertical and inclined shafts and for compound or combined vertical and inclined'shafts.

The object of the invention is to provide means whereby the skip, cage or other vehicle traversing the shaft, well or hoistway, will be gradually brought to rest in the event of the breakage of the hauling rope or other support.

The invention will now be described in detail by aid of the accompanying drawings, in which, by way of example, I illustrate the in vention applied to a mine skip adapted to traverse an inclined shaft.

Figure 1 shows the skip in side elevation under normal running conditions. Fig. 2 is a plan. of the skip as shown in Fig. 1, with certain parts removed. Fig. 3 includes two detached views representing a side elevation showing the position the several parts of the safety device assume to arrest the movement of the skip in the event of the breaking of the winding rope. Fig. 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of the catch or gripping levers and their immediate connections, drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a view of Fig. 4:,Tas seen from the underside. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the skip illustrating the brake mechanism. Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the spring buffer frame. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a portion of the spring buffer frame. Fig. 9 is a plan of the top transverse member of the buffer frame. Fig. 1.0 is a side elevation of the pulley and bracket for guiding the brake ropes, and Fig. 11 is a front elevation of Fig. 10.

1 designates the skip equipped with front and rear wheels 2, 3, respectively, for traversing the rails 4 laid on the sleepers 5 in the inclined shaft 6.

7 is the bridle or yoke pivotally connected I at its extremities to the sides of the skip 1 and connected at the top by the transverse member 8, which latter is connected through chains 9, shackle 10, and chain 11 with the winding rope 12.

13 are angle-pieces iixed to the sides of the skip 1 which serve as stops for the bridle 7.

Loosely surrounding the end of the winding rope 12, or the chain 11 forming the connection between the rope and the shackle 10, is the catch or grip gear. This, as shown more particularly in Figs. 1 and 5, comprises the two arms or levers 14:, which are constructed with hooks 15 at their upper extremities, and the two opposite arms or levers16. The two hookedlevers 14- are adapted in the event of the winding rope 12 breaking, to be thrown outwards or expanded to engage the sleepers, dividers or other shaft timbers 5 carrying the rails or runners 4;.

18, 19 are two telescopic tubular members or sleeves. The lower member 19 is constructed with external lateral projections 20 formed with slots in which are pivoted the lower extremities of the four catch levers 14, 16. The lower tubular member 19 is also constructed with two lateral lugs 21 for a purpose to be hereinafter explained.

The upper tubular member 18 is constructed with external lateral projections 22 to which are pivoted links 23 which at their other extremities are pivotally connected to the catch arms or levers 14, 16 at a point somewhat below the center of their length. Two of the links 23 are, as shown more particularly in Fig. 5, provided for each catch lever. The upper end of the tubular mem ber 18 is partially closed or constructed with a hole 17 through which passes the end of the winding rope 12.

24 designates a shackle connecting the end of the winding rope 12 with the upper end of the chain 11, which latter passes through the center of the two telescopic tubular members 18, 19 and is connected as previously exjcfiained with the cross member 8 of the bri- Encircling the two telescopic members 18, 19, is a helical or other suitable spring 26 which at its extremities is connected to the two members 18, 19. In the normal running of the skip (see Figs. 1 and 2) the grip or catch levers 14, 16, areparallel or approximately so and they are maintained in this position by the shackle 24 lifting the top telescopic member 18 and drawing the links 23 and with them the levers 14, 16, inwards. When the parts of the catch gear are in the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the top telescopic member 18 is in its uppermost position, the spring 26 is placed in tension and the load of the skip is on the winding rope 1.2 and chain 11.

Between the grip or catch gear and the brake gear I provide an intermediate tension or buffer gear, shown comprising a transverse member 27 lying beneath the transverse member 8 of the bridle 7, see Fig. 1.

The member 27, as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, is provided with the two eyepieces 29, riveted or otherwise suitably fixed thereto. This member 27 is connected to the catch gear by means of two links 30, which at one extremity are pivoted to the eyes 29 and at the other extremity are pivoted to the lugs 21 on the lower telescopic member 19. 32 are two longitudinal and parallel rods or bolts fixed at their upper extremities to the ends of the transverse member 27. The lower ends of each pair of the bolts 32 are connected by a plate or piece 34. On each pair of bolts 32 is slidably positioned a piece or plate 35. Between this plate 35 and the bottom plate 34 is located a spiral spring 36. Connected to the two sliding plates 35 and passing through the springs 36 are two flexible ropes 37, one at each side of the skip.

The bottom or rear end of the skip 1 is constructed to provide a box or compartment 25 to receive the brake gear, which gear is preferably completely inclosed. The brake gear consists (as seen more particu larly in Fig. 6) of a spindle 38 constructed at or in proximity to its extremities with right and left hand screw threads. 39 are plates or blocks provided to afford the extremities of the spindle 38 a sufficient bearing surface, and 40 are retaining nuts or their equivalent screwed over the extremities of the spindle. On the spindle 38 are mounted two conical drums 41, 42, and between the drums a wood block 43. The drums 41, 42, are compelled to rotate with the spindle 38 by feather keys 28, but may move, within certain limits, longitudinally of the spindle in either direction. The outer ends of the drums41, 42, are constructed with flanges 44 to provide brake faces. On each end of the spindle 38 inside the box 25 is arranged a plate 45. Each of these plates 45 is shown constructed with a boss 46 at the center through which is tapped a hole corresponding to the threads on the ends of the spindle 38. Between the plates 45 and the brake faces 44 of the drums 41, 42, are provided two other plates 47 which are free to slide longitudinally of the spindle 38. Between these latter plates 47 and the outside plates 45 are arranged a suitable number of springs 48. Between the plates 47 and the brake faces 44 are placed brake blocks 49 of wood or other suitable material. These latter blocks 49 are adapted, when the brake is operated, to contact with the brake faces 44. In Fig. 6 the brake is shown in operation in the upper portion and in its inoperative position in the lower portion. The braking action is obtained between the blocks 49 and the brake faces 44, and also be tween the center block 43 and the inner faces 31 of the conical drums 41, 42.

The conical drums 41, 42, are provided with external spiral grooves 50. The ropes 37 from the buffer gear are coiled round the drums 41 42, from the same side or in the same direction and from their smaller to their larger diameters and have their extremities attached to the inner and larger ends of the drums. The ropes 37 pass under guide pulleys 51 carried by brackets 52 fixed to the sides of the skip 1 and through slots 33 in the sides of the skip or box 25 to the drums 41 42.

53 represent four bolts which pass through holes in the corners of the plates 45, 47, and brake blocks 49 and 43, and serve as guides therefor.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the safety arrangement is shown in its inoperative position. When in this osition the ropes 37 are coiled round the rums 41, 42, the buffer frame is dis tended and the catch levers 14, 16, are drawn inwards and their actuating spring 26 placed in tension. As depicted in Fig. 3, in the event of the hauling rope 12 breaking, then the actuating spring 26 for the catch levers contracts and throws the catch levers 14, 16, outwards, causing the hooked extremities 15 to engage the sleepers, dividers, or timbers 5, or any other obstruction presented to them in the shaft 6. The catch levers 14, 16, are by this means held in the shaft 6 simultaneously or approximately simultaneously with the breaking of the winding rope 12. The buffer frame being fixed to the lower telescopic member 19 is also held while the skip 1 is free to continue its descent of the shaft 6. As it continues to descend after the hooked levers 14 have caught in the timbers 5, the springs 36 of the buffer frames are compressed as shown in Fig. 3. The skip 1 continuing to fall then causes the ropes 37 connected with the buffer frames to uncoil off the conical surfaces of the drums 41, 42. This rotates the drums in the same direction and with them the spindle 38 and causes the threaded extremities to move the brake plates 45 towards each other by virtue of their screw-threaded connection with the spindle 38. The brake plates 45 then move the outer brake blocks 47 49 into contact with the brake faces 44 and at the same time move the drums 41, 42,

towards each other into contact with the center brake block 43. As the skip continues to descend the brake pressure is gradually increased until the skip is ultimately brought to rest.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear which is adapted on the breaking of the winding rope to engage an obstruction in the shaft, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, a buffer gear connected with the catch gear, and a connection between the buffer gear and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

2. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear carried by the winding rope comprising a plurality of catch levers, means operated by the winding rope for maintaining said levers in their inoperative position when said rope is in tension, said means serving to cause the levers to engage an obstruction in the shaft should the winding rope break, a brake gear carried by the vehicle and a connection between the catch levers and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

3. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising a plurality of catch levers, means operated by the winding rope for maintaining said levers in their inoperative position when said rope is in tension, said means serving to cause the levers to engage an obstruction in the shaft on the breaking of the winding rope, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, a buffer gear connected with the catch gear and a connection between the buffer gear and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

4. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising two telescopic tubular members, a spring for contracting said members, and a plurality of hooked catch levers pivoted to said telescopic members, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, and a connection between the catch levers and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

5. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with tne vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising two telescopic tubular members, a spring for contracting said members, and a plurality of hooked catch levers pivoted to said telescopic members, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, a buffer gear connected with the catch gear, and a connection between the buffer gear and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

6. In a safety device of the nature indi cated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch ear comprising two tubular members, a piece connected with the winding rope for distending said members, a spring connected with the members which is placed in tension when they are distended, a plurality of catch levers pivoted to the bottom telescopic member, and links pivoted to said catch levers at one end and at the other end to the upper telescopic member which links operate to throw the catch levers outwards to engage an obstruction in the shaft should the winding rope break, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, and a connection between the catch levers and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

7. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising two tubular members, a piece connected with the winding rope for distending said members, a spring connected with the members which is placed in tension when they are distended, a plurality of catch levers pivoted to the bottom telescopic member, and links pivoted to said catch levers at one end and at the other end to the upper telescopic member, which links operate to throw the catch levers outwards to engage an obstruction in the shaft should the winding rope break, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, a buffer gear connected with the catch gear, and a connection between the buffer gear and brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

8. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising two tubular members, a piece connected with the winding rope for distending said members, a spring connected with. the members which is placed in tension when they are distended, a plurality of catch levers pivoted to the bottom telescopic member, and links pivoted to said catch levers at one end and at the other end to the upper telescopic member, which links operate to throw the catch levers outwards to engage an obstruction in the shaft should the winding rope break, a brake gear carried by the vehicle, a buffer gear comprising a transverse member, links connecting said transverse member with the lower tele scopic member, two parallel rods fixed to each end of said transverse member, pieces connecting the other ends of each pair of rods, pieces adapted to slide on each pair of rods, and springs between said sliding pieces and the pieces connecting the ends of the rods, and flexible connections between the sliding pieces and the brake gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

9. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising two tubular members, a piece connected with the winding rope for distending said members, a spring connected with the members which is placed in tension when they are distended, a plurality of catch levers pivoted to the bottom telescopic member, and links pivoted to said catch levers at one end and at the other end to the upper telescopic member, which links operate to throw the catch levers outwards to engage an obstruction in the shaft should the winding rope break, a buffer gear comprising a transverse member, links connecting said transverse member with the lower telescopic member, two parallel rods fixed to each end of said transverse member, pieces connecting the other ends of each air of rods, pieces adapted to slide on each pair of rods, and springs between said sliding pieces and the pieces connecting the ends of the rods, a brake gear carried by the vehicle comprising a spindle provided with right and left hand threads, a pair of drums movable longitudinally of and revoluble with said spindle, brake blocks, and brake plates having screw-threaded engagement with the spindle for moving the brake blocks against brake faces provlded on the drums, and ropes connected to the sliding pieces of the buffer gear for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

10. In a safety device of the nature indicated, the combination with the vehicle and winding rope, of a catch gear comprising two tubular members, a piece connected with the winding rope for distending said members, a spring connected with the members which is placed in tension when they are distended, a plurality of catch levers pivoted to the bottom telescopic member, and links pivoted to said catch levers at one end and at the other end to the upper telescopic member, which links operate to throw the catch levers outwards to engage an obstruction in the shaft should the winding rope break, a buffer gear comprising a transverse member, links connecting said transverse member with the lower telesco ic member, two parallel rods fixed to eaci end of said transverse member, pieces connecting the other ends of each pair of rods, pieces adapted to slide on each pair of rods, and springs between said sliding pieces and the pieces connecting the ends of the rods, a brake gear carried by the Vehicle comprising a spindle provided with right and left hand threads, a pair of conical coiled round the spirally drums movable longitudinally of and revoluble with said spindle, a brake block between the drums and brake blocks at the ends of the drums and brake plates having screw-threaded connection with the spindle and serving on rotation of the spindle to move the brake blocks into contact with the brake faces at the ends of the drums and the drums into contact with the brake block between the drums, and ropes connected to the sliding pieces of the'buffer gear and wound round the brake drums, for operating the brake gear and gradually arresting the movement of the vehicle.

11. In a safety gear of the nature indicated, in combination, vehicle 1, winding rope 12 connected with the vehicle, a catch gear comprising telescopic members 18, 19, the lower telescopic member 19 having external lateral projections 20 and lugs 21, catch levers 14, 16, pivoted to said projections 20, the upper member 18 having external lateral projections 22, links 23 pivoted at one extremity to said lateral pro ections 22 and at the other to the catch levers, a spring 26 encircling the tubular members 18, 19, connected at one end to one member and at the other end to the other member, piece 24 on the winding rope engaging the upper telescopic member 18 for distending said members 18, 19, and maintaining said catch levers in their inoperative position, and chain 11, said chain passing through the tubular members 18 19, and connecting the winding rope 12 with the vehicle, a bufier gear comprising a transverse member 27, eyepieces 29 and links 30 pivoted to the eyepieces and to the lugs 21 on the lower telescopic member 19, two pairs of rods 32 fixed to the ends of the transverse member 27, plates 34 connecting the extremities of said rods 32, pieces 35 slidable on the rods 32, springs 36 between the sliding pieces 35 and the connecting pieces 34, ropes 37 connected to the sliding pieces 35, guide-pulleys 51 round which the ropes 37 pass to the slots 33 in the vehicle, and the brake gear comprising the revoluble spindle 38 having right and left hand screw threads on opposite extremities, the conical drums 41, 42, feather keys 28 for compelling the drums to rotate with the spindle 38 while permitting them to move longitudinally thereof, the drums being constructed with brake faces 44 at the ends, brake block 13 between the drums for engaging the inner faces 31 of the drums, brake blocks at the ends of the drums consisting of the wood blocks 19 and plates 47, plates 15 having screw-threaded connection with the spindle 38, s rings 48 between the brake plate 15 and b ocks 19 and bolts 53 engaging the several brake blocks and serving as guides therefor, the ropes 37 being grooved surfaces of the conical drums 41, 42, andhaving 5 hand in the presence of two subscribing Wittheir ends fixed t0 the larger diameters nesses. thereof so that they rotate the drums to apply the brakes when the catch levers en- JAMES SPRY' 5 ga e an obstruct-ion in the shaft, substani Witnesses:

tia lly as described. CHAS. ()VENDALE,

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my R. OVENDALE. 

